How To Identify The Best Qualified Executive Director?

Many not-for-profit organizations decide they need to hire individuals to serve as their Executive Director. Unfortunately, they often do not use the best possible methodology to identify their optimum individual. These organizations often base their selection on something other than the needed criteria to optimally serve in the position. Before hiring an Executive Director, every organization should clearly and realistically determine its needs, and what they need an Executive Director to do. Many organizations hire an Executive Director, and then have this individual serve as an Executive Secretary or Administrator, than as an Executive Director.

Organizations should remember that an effective Executive Director should not, and will not end up costing the organization anything in net terms. A good Executive Director should always more than pay for himself in a combination of efficiencies made, cost savings, and increased revenues, as well as invaluable knowledge and expertise. If the Executive Director cannot do that for an organization, that organization would be better off merely hiring an Administrator/ Executive Secretary, at a far lowest salary.

Some of the qualities that an Executive Director should possess include:

(1) He must an excellent multi- tasker. An effective Executive Director should be involved in many programs, projects, and efforts simultaneously, effectively and efficiently.

(2) He must be a positive thinker. The attitude and aura of an Executive Director is reflected in everything he does, and unless the individual has a positive, can- do attitude, any negativity will be felt by others and hinder progress.

(3) He must be Action Plan orientated. An effective Executive Director thinks things through, and devises step by step effective strategies for implementation.

(4) He must be a take- charge type of individual. Executive Directors must understand that there is a time for delegating, but that there is also a "roll up your sleeves" time.

(5) Executive Directors must never blame others. They must be willing and able to act, and take responsibility for their actions, and be willing and able to defend their reasoning.

(6) An effective Executive Director must fully understand the entire budgeting process, and must be able to both create a meaningful budget, as well as analyze strengths and weaknesses in the documents, and understand how to modify.

(7) He must possess excellent interpersonal skills.

(8) He must be an effective listener.

(9) Executive Directors must be professional negotiators. They must be able to negotiate with vendors, venues, and in a number of other areas, as is needed by the specifics of the organization.

(10) He must be technologically knowledgeable, and have a working knowledge and understanding of all needed computer and technology programs. While being tech savvy, an effective Executive Director is not overly "hooked on tech." He must remember that people are the most important aspect of any organization.

(11) He must be able to effectively deal with a Board of Directors, as well as volunteer leaderships. He must also be able to be an important resource to leadership.

(12) He must have the strength of his convictions, and be willing to speak up and let the organization's leadership know both when and why he might disagree.

(13) He must be a good communicator.

(14) Excellent written and oral skills are certainly an asset.

(15) Being able to conduct training, seminars, etc., is something that the ideal candidate should possess.

(16) An Executive Director must have a clear vision, and be able to concisely communicate his vision to others.

(17) He must be a quick learner.

(18) He should be fiscally conservative, yet understand that there are times when expenditures are necessary.

(19) He must be detail- orientated, and not "drop the ball." This individual must be willing and able to thoroughly follow through.

(20) He must be ethical, honest and honorable.

(21) He must be willing to go outside his "comfort zone."

(22) He must feel comfortable approaching others.

These are just some of the essential and important qualities that every Executive Director should possess. Because different organizations have different needs and requirements, each organization must tweak the above list to meet its specific needs. However, this list is certainly a good start!